Evans Defeats Tomic And The Snub

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 30th August 2013

Evans Defeats Tomic And The Snub

epa03842528 Daniel Evans of Great Britain hits a return to Bernard Tomic of Australia during their match on the fourth day of the 2013 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 29 August 2013. The US Open runs through Monday 09 September, a 15-day schedule for the first time. EPA/JASON DECROW |

Many who have questioned the various problems faced by Bernard Tomic in his tennis career maintain his father John has a lot to answer for.

Such theories are of course debatable but there can be no doubt the actions of Tomic Snr. was integral to his son’s US Open exit at the hands of Britain’s emergent qualifier Daniel Evans.

Tomic and Evans had arranged to practice together 18 months ago prior to the Sony Open in Miami only for the session to be was cancelled at the last moment.

“Bernie’s dad sort of fobbed me off and said I wasn’t good enough to practice with his son, ” recalled Evans with an air of satisfaction following his 1‑6, 6‑3, 7‑6, 6‑3 win over Tomic that followed on from the 179th ranked Brit’s first round win against 11th seed Kei Nishikori. “I remembered that.

“We went to practice, it was all booked. Got to the court. In Miami, there’s a little practice hut and I got there. Then his dad was saying: “No, no, he’s a qualifier, you’re not hitting him. It was one of those. A bit embarrassing… but hey.”

Evans did not hold Tomic Jr. responsible in any way but still used the memory at a motivational tool. He continued: “I know him pretty well and played juniors with him. But I don’t think it was his doing.”

Evans next plays the veteran Spaniard and 19th seed Tommy Robredo and the prize is likely to be a place in the round of 16 against five times US Open champion Roger Federer.

Although Evans in no way views his third round match lightly, he got to know his potential fourth round opponent in a practice session arranged by Paul Annacone, Federer’s current co-coach and former Head of Men’s Tennis Coaching at Britain’s Lawn Tennis Association.

“It was amazing actually to hit with someone so good,” said Evans. “I really enjoyed it and actually had a really good hit. He is a nice guy and was interested in what I did which was that was good.”

Federer certainly did not think twice about practicing with a qualifier and said: “It was the first time I really got to meet him or play with him. Now I have an idea how he plays, which I guess is not a bad thing.

“But at the end of the day, I think we were really just trying to help each other out on a rainy day and trying to get a hit in. I thought he played really nice and has got a great shot.

“I’m still a little bit surprised he beat Tomic, because we know what Bernard can do. But it was a great effort for Evans. To be in a third round of a Grand Slam is a huge opportunity. It doesn’t get easier from here, but it should give him a ton of confidence. And it’s great for Britain.”

Topics: 10sballs, Atp, Bernard Tomic, Daniel Evans, Lta, Roger Federer, Sports, Tennis, US Open